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Senate passes bill banning prolonged public camping; debate centers on enforcement and effects on families
Summary
The Idaho Senate passed Senate Bill 11-41 as amended, prohibiting prolonged public camping on public property and in vehicles. Supporters said the measure protects public safety and moves people into shelters; opponents warned it could criminalize families and stressed gaps in shelter capacity and enforcement.
The Idaho Senate on March 14 passed Senate Bill 11-41 as amended, a measure that prohibits prolonged camping or lodging on public property, including sleeping in vehicles where evidence indicates they are being used as shelter. The final vote was 27 in favor, 8 against.
Supporters said the bill targets long-term encampments and helps move people into shelters where they can access services. Senator Galloway, sponsor of the bill, described the legislation as aimed at people “living in vehicles or in temporary shelters on our streets and our public property in our cities” and said the measure creates “modest pressure to move people off the streets and into shelter where they can be safe, access services, and find a path to recovery.”
The debate focused on two central questions:…
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